Des

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Easy Pizza Sauce

When it comes to pizza, the sauce totally makes it! Follow this easy recipe with step by step instructions for how to make the best pizza sauce.

In my personal opinion, the sauce can make or break a pizza. What about you?

Sure toppings are great but if the sauce isn’t good, no amount of cheese can save it. The crust is important too but we’ll get to that another day.

I’ve tried pizza places and decided never to go back because the sauce just didn’t stack up.  The same goes for the jarred stuff. It just does not hold a candle to making your own. With some tomato sauce, tomato paste and 20 minutes and you’ll be on your way to the best pizza sauce. Ever.

When it comes to pizza, the sauce totally makes it! Follow this easy recipe with step by step instructions for how to make the best pizza sauce.

What ingredients do you need to make homemade pizza sauce?

This Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce starts with canned tomato sauce. Not pizza sauce or pasta sauce, simply regular tomato sauce. To enhance the tomato flavor even more, a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste are added.

How to make homemade pizza sauce.

Next you’ll need the seasonings. It took me several tries to get it just right. For this recipe, you’ll need: oregano, basil, garlic, fennel, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper and sugar. I also add a little cayenne and allspice but those too are optional. The cayenne adds more head and the allspice adds a deep peppery flavor.

Why do you add sugar to tomato sauce?

One of the reasons that I am not a huge fan of store bought sauce is that they tend to be a little too sweet for me. With that said, I still add a little bit of sugar to most of my tomato sauce recipes. Adding sugar to tomato sauce helps create a more balanced flavor but cutting the acidity and bringing out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.

homemade pizza sauce on a spoon.

Do you need to cook pizza sauce?

Yes. Cooking the tomato sauce, instead of simply mixing all of the ingredients together, helps give the flavors a chance to develop. It doesn’t need a long time, only about 15 – 20 minutes but believe me, it is totally worth it.

I use this recipe when I make all different kinds of pizza. One of my favorite ways is to slather it on the top of my grilled pizza.

The perfect grilled pizza starts with the perfect pizza sauce.

It is also great to spread on sandwiches or to dunk your pizza crust in.

Looking for more pizza recipes? Check these out:

Calabrese Honey Pizza

Grilled Kale and Sausage Pizza

Bubble Pizza

Making your own sauces, dips and dressings is so easy! Here are some more of my favorites:

Tartar Sauce 

Gravy Recipe

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

When it comes to pizza, the sauce totally makes it! Follow this easy recipe with step by step instructions for how to make the best pizza sauce. #pizza #pizzasauce #tomatosauce

Note: This post was originally written in 2009. It was updated with tips, photos and nutrition facts in 2019.

When it comes to pizza, the sauce totally makes it! Follow this easy recipe with step by step instructions for how to make the best pizza sauce.

Easy Pizza Sauce

When it comes to pizza, the sauce totally makes it! Follow this easy recipe with step by step instructions for how to make the best pizza sauce.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Condiments
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 1 Servings
Calories 35 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper depending on the amount of spice you like
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until it starts to bubble slightly, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  • Use on your favorite pizza.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcalCarbohydrates: 7.8gProtein: 1.8gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 694mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 5.5g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: condiment, Food, homemade sauce, pizza, pizza sauce, Recipe, tomatoes

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
    July 13, 2019 at 7:07 am

    5 stars
    I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!

  • Reply
    Michelle Goth
    July 13, 2019 at 6:00 am

    5 stars
    I really don’t like any of the jarred pizza sauce options! I always end up doctoring them. This homemade pizza sauce is perfect!

  • Reply
    Katerina @ diethood .com
    July 12, 2019 at 6:23 am

    5 stars
    Homemade is the BEST!! This sounds incredibly delicious!!

  • Reply
    Krista
    July 11, 2019 at 7:43 am

    5 stars
    Sauce makes the pizza! This one looks like a winner!

  • Reply
    Taylor
    July 11, 2019 at 5:32 am

    5 stars
    Love making homemade pizza sauce! So easy, fresh and delicious!

  • Reply
    Beth Pierce
    July 10, 2019 at 9:11 pm

    5 stars
    What a great recipe to have on hand! I an use this with so many things; looking forward to trying it out!

  • Reply
    Sara Welch
    July 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    What a robust sauce! So easy and packed with flavor; can’t wait to try this out!

  • Reply
    April
    July 6, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    I made this pizza sauce once and now it’s all I want to use! Our pizza was great with it! I had half a can of leftover tomato puree, so that’s what I used instead of the sauce and paste, but it still turned out fabulous! Thanks!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      July 6, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      You’re welcome!

  • Reply
    Jess
    January 8, 2010 at 7:17 am

    This sounds like a great mix. It’s make-your-own-pizza Friday night in my house and this recipe is getting put to good use shortly. Thanks for the post.

  • Reply
    Leah
    January 7, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    This should be good. I’m having a small little party and making the same thing for my sisters 16th birthday. The party is for whatever reason though. Thank you. I know this recipe won’t let me down.

  • Reply
    Chris
    June 10, 2009 at 9:44 am

    I’ve finally perfected pizza crust (sheesh, that only took 10 years!). Now I need to work on the sauce! Your recipe looks great. I love the addition of the allspice – I wouldn’t have thought to add that!

  • Reply
    Mrs. L
    June 9, 2009 at 11:24 am

    One of these days I need to try to make my own pizzas…something I haven’t done yet.

  • Reply
    peachkins
    June 8, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    I agree with you.A great pizza sauce makes great pizza..

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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